Locking device



lMarch 26, 1940. R MARPLE 2,195,179

LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 "Sw .v f j ad 1N VEA/TOR fad Falla Ma f/Ze.

TToR/VE Ys.

March 26, 1940. R. MARPLE LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INI/ENTOR Falla Marple BY /f/wedd,

March 26, 17940. R, MARPLE l l 2,195,179

LOCKING DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1957 s sheets-sheet s A TTORNE Yls.

Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING DEVICE Application August 418, 1937, Serial No. 159,746

11 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to locking devices for vehicle doors or the like, and in particular provides. improved constructions of locks of the rotary bolt type, as well as improved constructions of lock-keepers.

Features of the herein disclosed construction which are not claimed herein, are claimed in applicants copending applications Serial No. 308,511, led December l1, 1939, and Serial No. 315.122, filed January 22, 1940, both whereof are divisions of this application, and in applicants copending application Serial No. 235,982, lecl October 20, 1938.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved door lock and keeper particularly I adapted for use on vehicle doors or the like, characterized as being simple in construction, economical of Amanufacture, and extremely durable and eilicient in operation; to provide a lock of the rotary bolt type, embodying an improved construction of rotary bolt, adapted to co-operate in an improved manner with one or a plurality of actuating dogs therefor; to provide a lock of the rotary bolt type embodying an im- .5 provedI construction and arrangement of the several parts thereof, to accommodate the lock to limited space requirements; to provide an improved lock keeper, embodying a main bolt holding portion, and also embodying a retractable safety catch portion, which may be utilized with locks having either rotary bolts or bolts of other types; and to generally improve the construction and operation of vehicle door locks and keepers therefor.

With the above, as well as other objects in view, which appear in the following description and in `the appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the present invention, are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to vdesignate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, illustrating the application of the invention to automobile doors;

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Figi. 5 is a View taken along the line 5.-5 of Fig.

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding generally to Fig. 4, but showing the parts in a dierent -stage of a door closing movement;

Fig. 7 is a view in vertical section. taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 8 and 9 are views in rear and side elevation, respectively, of a modied' bolt retracting means which may be used in the practice of the 5 invention;

Figs. 10 and 11 are views in vertical section and in plan, respectively, of a modified construction of lock-keeper embodying the invention; and,

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are views in vertical section .10 of further modified keeper constructions embodying the invention.

The improved lock,v which is secured within the door 29 of the associated vehicle, comprises generally a casing member 22; a rotary bolt 24; k15 a plurality of dogs designated collectively as 26, for holding the bolt against rotation in a door opening direction; an outside operated roll-back 28, for releasing the dogs 26 from the bolt 24 in response to movement of the conventional outside handle; and an inside retracting member 30, which may be operated in response to the conventional inside door handle, or the like, to release the dogs 26 from operative engagement with the bolt. 'I'he keeper 32, which is described in more detail below, is suitably secured to the door pillar 24, as by means of a bracket 36.

The bolt 24, is rotatably journaledin the lock casing upon a trunnion or pin 40. One end of the pin 40 is supported in the flange 42 of a bracket 44, which is suitably secured as by welding to the ange 46 of the previously identified lock casing 22. 'I'he other end of the pin 40 is supported in a supplemental casing member 48, 35I

which is suitably secured to the inner face of the flange 46.

The bolt 24 is formed to provide a keeper engaging portion 50 which projects externally of the lock casing 22 for cooperation with the 40 keeper 32; an inner or dog engaging portion 52; and a separating iin or vane 54 which is somewhat larger in diameter than the portions 50 and 52, and serves to substantially close the opening 55, which is provided in the flange 46 of the casing 22 to accommodate the bolt. The lower half of the outwardly projecting portion 50 of the bolt 24 is substantially enclosed by the previously mentioned bracket, which is given a substantially semi-cylindrical form for this purpose.

As most clearly appears in Figs. 3 and 7, the outer portion 50 of the bolt 24 is formed -to provide a plurality of radially extending, equi-angularly spaced keeper engaging teeth or projections f of teeth 50a, any one of which is effective as described hereinafter to cooperate with either the safety catch 60 associated with the keeper, or the keeper portion 62 associated therewith, to hold the door in either the partially closed or safety position, or the fully closed position, respectively. It will be appreciated that the angular spacing between the projections and teeth 50a, relative to the spacing between the safety catch 60 and the keeper portion 62, is such that the bolt 24 can roll over or across the keeper in a manner similar to the cooperation between a gear and a rack.

As most clearly appears in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, the inner portion 52 of the bolt 24 is formed to provide a number of dog engaging teeth or projections 52a, the number and angular spacing between which corresponds to the number and angular spacing of the keeper engaging teeth 50a. The teeth 52a, however. ,are angularly displaced from the teeth 50a. This relation results in reducing the space requirements ofthe lock, since the positions of the dogs can thus be determined independently of the rotative positions of the teeth 50a. Each tooth 52a is formed to provide a generally radially extending dog releasing portion 64, and a locking portion 66.

'Ihe dogs 26 are provided to cooperate with the locking portion 66 of the bolt 24 to hold the bolt supporting pin 40. The outer end of the pin 104 is supported in a member 12, the inner flanges 14 of which are secured to the innerface of the casing flange 46, and the outwardly extending body portion of which serves, as most clearly appears in Figs. 3 and 7, as a dovetail member. The inner end of the pin 10 is supported in the previously mentioned supplemental casing member 48. Each of three dogs, which are individuvally designated as 16, 18 and 80, includes a downwardly extending body, which terminates in a laterally offset foot. The dog 16 is slightly longer than the dog 18, and the dog v18, in turn,

Iis slightly longer than the dog 80. Each of the dogs 16, 18 and v80 is provided with a biasing spring -82 individual thereto. One end of each spring is secured between a pair of lugs 84, which are inwardly struck from the casing flange 46, and the free end of each spring 82 bears against the edge of the associated dog and so Vcontinuously urges it in a counter-clockwise or locking direction, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6.

The outside roll-back 28 is illustrated as being conventionally pivotally supported in the base l 86 of the casing l22, for rotationl by the conventional door spindle 88. The outer end of the roll- .baek member 28V normally bears against a' re' tracting link 90, which is slidably supported adjacent the casing base 86, and also serves, as`r hereinafter described, to cooperate with the thereof. t arrangement for theoutside roll-back 28, it will formed on the dog v80. `Aspring 96, suitably secured to the casing base 86, continuously bears against a second shoulder 98, formed on the link 90, and so urges it, as well as the roll-back 28, to the illustrated normal or locked position. y

The inside retracting link 30 is pivotally supported upon the base 86 of the casing 22, as by means of a pin |00. One end |02 of the link 30 is adapted for connection to the conventional link mechanism (not shown) which may extend to an 4inside door operating handle. The Iother end |04 of the inside actuating link is formed asa foot, for cooperation with the previously mentioned dog shoulders 94.

In order to render the dogs 16 and 18 responsive to the movement of the dog 80, as influenced by the shoulder 94 provided thereon, the dog is provided with a laterally turned pbrtion |06, which extends around and behind the rear edges of the dogs 16 and 18. With the just described arrangement, it will be appreciated that clockwise rotation of the outside roll-back 28, as viewed in Fig. 5,l causes the link 90 to move downwardly. The engagement vbetween the "foot 92 of the link 90 and the shoulder 494 associated with the dog 80, causes the downward movement of the link 90 to be accompanied by a clockwise rotation of the three dogs 16, 18 and 80, as viewed in Figs. 4 to 6, thereby releasing thev dogs from the bolt 24, and permitting the latter to be rotated in a clockwise or door opening direction. The same laction also results from a counter-clockwise rotation of the inside link 30, the end |04 whereof bears against the shoulder 94 associated with the dog 80. Upon releasing either the outside roll-back 28 or the inside contracting ring 30, however, as the case i may be, the springs 82 associated with the several dogs are effective to urge the dogs to the locking position shown in Fig; 44.

In order to lock thelink 90 against downward movement, and so render the outside rollback 28 ineffective to actuate the dog, the segmentally formed locking device 0 is provided. It will be appreciated that the member I|0 is pivotally supported in the base 86 of casing22, for rotation in response to a key-actuated spindle ||2. In the unlocked position, shown in full lines in Fig. 5, the segmental memberv I I0 is out of the path of the lower end of the link 90, so that it is ineective to prevent or'control such movement of the link `90. If the member ||0 is rotated to the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, however, the body thereof is disposed in the path of movement of the lower end of the link 90, and prevents downward movement In addition to the foregoing locking be noted that the linside retractinglink 30 is provided with a projection Upon rotation of the links 30 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, the projection is moved into ,the path ofand lin blocking relation to the outside roll-back 28, thereby preventing rotation thereof in an unlocking direction. To release the rollback 26 from the just mentioned locking action,

` the link 30.may be returned to the position lshown in Fig. 5.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the keeper 32 comprises a body, which may-be and preferably is formed'as a relatively heavy metal stamping,

'and which is formed to define the previously mentionedbolt engaging surface 62. The previously mentioned safety catch 60 is and may be otally supported upon a pin H4, which extends between and is supported in the opposite side wall of the keeper 32. A spring H6 is connected between the catch 60 and the keeper body, and continuously urges the safety catch 88 to the active position shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the otherwise continuous body of the keeper 32 is cut away, as indicated at H8, to afford a slot or opening through which the safety catch may move from the active position shown in Fig. 3 to a retired position. AIt will be noted that the back of the safety catch 68 abuts the portion H9 of the body of the striker plate"32, so that such portion H9 forms a limit stop to therotation thereof under the influence of the springv Also as clearly appears in Fig. 3 when the door is in a closed' position, the keeper 32 is in a position between the rotary bolt 24 and the previously mentioned dovetail member 12. The upper surface of the keeper 32, as well as the under surface of the dovetail'member 12, are downwardly inclined in the direction of a door closing movement. With this relation, the dovetail member 12 tends to serve as a stopto movement of the keeper 32 in the leftward or door closing direction as iniiuenced by the bolt 24. The members 24, 32 and 12, accordingly, function in accordance with the functioning of the usual separately formed door dovetails associated with locks of the conventional slidable bolt type, and permit such separate dovetail structures to be entirely dispensed with in the practice of the invention.

Considering the operation as a whole of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 7, the parts are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and '1 in position occupied thereby when the door is in a fully or tightly closed position. Under these circumstances, the upper tooth 50a of the outer portion of the rotary bolt 20 bears solidly against the cooperating surface 62 of the keeper 32, forcibly' wedging the latter between the bolt 24 and the dovetail member 12. At the same time, the foot of the longest dog 16 bears solidly against the upper substantially horizontally disposed locking surface 66 associated with the inner portion of the bolt 24. Dog 16 is thus effective to entirely prevent any clockwise rotation of the bolt 24, so that the door is positively held in the just mentioned fully or tightly closed position.

To open the door, either the outside roll-back 28, or the inside operating link 30 may be actuated, to force the shoulder 94 associated with the dog 80 downwardly, thereby rotating all three of the dogs 16, 18 and 80 in a -clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 4 and 6. This rotation of the dogs, which takes place in opposition to the forces of their associated biasing springs 82, moves the feet thereof out of range of the teeth 52a of the inner portion of the rotary bolt 24, thereby permitting the latter to be freely-rotated in a clockwise or door opening direction, in response to the movement thereover of the keeper surface 62 and the safety catch 68.

Upon release of the inside retracting link 36 or the outside roll-back 28, which may be expected to occur shortly after the keeper safety catch 60 passes beyond the bolt 24, the springs 82 again become effective to return the dogs to the position shown in Fig. 4, in which they are effective to hold the bolt in the corresponding illustrated position.

The return movement of the dogs, also causes the outside roll-back 28 and the inside link 30 to resume the position shown in Fig. 5. The movement of the roll-back 28 is also influenced by the spring 96, and the movement of the link 30 may also be iniiuenced by the conventional return spring mechanism (not shown) associated therewith.

During a door closing movementthe bolt 24 moves to the right relative to the keeper 32 as viewed in Fig. 3. As the vehicle door approaches a partially closed position, corresponding to the conventional safety position, the safety catch 6l)A engages the right-hand face of the upper tooth 50a associated with the rotary bolt 24. Continued door closing movement causes the catch 60 to apply a rotative force to the bolt 24. The springs 82, however, associated with the locking dogs, are stronger than the spring I I6 associated with the safety catch 60, so that no rotative movement of the bolt 24 occurs. Instead, the safety catch 60 rotates in a clockwise direction relative to the keeper 60 to a retired position, in which the keeper 32 maybe moved past the upper tooth 50a. As soon as the end of the safety catch 68 passes beyond the upper bolt tooth, the spring H6 associated therewith is rendered effective to cause the safety catch to return to the active position shown in Fig. 3, in which position it is effective to cooperate with the left-hand face of the upper bolt tooth 50a. and positively prevents the door from again being ,fully opened, without again actuating the dogs designated collectively as 26 to release the bolt 24.

If the door closing movement is continued beyond the safety position just described, the slop'- ing face |20 of the keeper 32 is brought into engagement with the right-hand face of the upper bolt tooth 58a, and applies a positive rotative force to the bolt 24. Due to the fact that the bolt holding effect of the dogs, designated collectively as 26, results from the cooperation between the feet thereof and the bolt faces, and not from the strength of the biasing springs 82, it is possible to utilize springs 82 which are relatively weak. Accordingly, a minimum of door closing force is required to render the keeper face |20 effective to rotate the bolt 24 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. During such movement, a leading face 64 of an inner bolt tooth 52a bears against the rear edges of the dogs, and turns these dogs from the positions shown in Fig. 4 to positions corresponding to those shown in Fig. 6.

When the door reaches a substantially closed position the just mentioned inner bolt tooth face 64 passes beyond the heel of the shorter dog 80, permitting the latter to ride up over the rounded end of the dog engaging bolt face 86. As soon as this action takes place, the spring 82, assosociated with these dogs successively effective to continue the counter-clockwise or door closing rotation of the bolt 24.

It will be appreciated that at any stage of the Adoor closing movement at which the inner bolt face 64 passes beyond the heel of a selected dog, rendering such dog effective to assume the position shown in Fig. 4, such dog becomes effective to prevent a clockwise or door opening movement of the bolt 24. In such instance, any tendency of the bolt to rotate in a clockwise direction applies a substantially radial force to the particular dog. The parts are preferably so adjusted that the shorter dog 80 reaches the just mentioned blocking position as an incident yto each door closing movement. Accordingly, even though the vehicle door is only very lightly closed, a. positive lock is applied to the door.

With the dog 80 in the blocking position, the two longer dogs 18 and 16 occupy positions in which the springs 82, associated therewith, are .still effective to continuously urge the bolt 24 in -a counter-clockwise or door closing direction.

In addition to being positively held against an opening movement, accordingly, the door is continuously urged to a further closed position.

In certain instances it may be found that the forces of the springs 82 acting upon the associated longer dogs 16 and 18 will be effective to cause the doorsclosing movement to continue to a point at which the intermediate dog 18 is in the blocking position. In other instances, as where the resistance to further door closing movement is suiiicient to prevent such continued movement, it is found that road shocks or the like cause the door to momentarily move inwardly a slight amount relative to the vehicle body. Any such inward movement immediately relieves the otherwise existing resistance to continued counter-clockwise movement of the bolt 24, and is immediately taken up by a movement of the intermediate dog 18, or the nal dog 16 vto the blocking position. It will be seen, accordingly, that the several dogs being of slightly different length, assume the blocking positions thereof at different substantially closed positions of the door, and that a minimum expected closing force of the door is suflicient to render at least the shortest dog 80 effective to reach the blocking position, leaving the remaining dogs effective to take up any additional closing movement.

In the modified embodiment of `the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the youtside rollfback 28a is arranged to actuate the locking .dogs through an intermediary of a pivoted lever |30, which is rotatably supported upon the pin |a, which also pivotally supports the inside retracting link 30a. The portion |32 of the lever |30 bears directly upon the shoulder 94, which may be associated with the locking dogs in the manner de-` scribed with reference to the first embodiment, and the portion |34 thereof abuts the nose |36 of the outside roll back 28a.. A spring such as |38 may be, and preferably is, connected between the other end of the lever |30 and the lock casing 22a, and continuously'urges the lever |30 and `consequently the roll-back 28a to the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9. As in the previously described embodiment, rotationof the inside oper-- ating lever 30a in a clockwise direction from the position shown brings the nose |40 thereof into blocking engagement with a projection |42 provided on the outside roll back 28a, and so prevents actuation of the latter.

In all other respects except those' noted above, the construction and arrangement as well as the opertion of the embodiment of Figs. 8 and 9 preferably duplicates that of the embodiment of Figs. 1 through 7.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the improved keeper 32, that it is broadly immaterial whether the retractable safety catch be embodied in keepers particularly designed for use with locking devices of the rotary bolt type, or of the more conventional slidable bolt type. The remaining figures, Nos. through 14, illustrate modified embodiments of the improved keeper of the present invention, which are particularly adapted for use with locks of the slidable bolt type, but which may also be used with locks of the rotary bolt type as above described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, a modified embodiment of keeper is illustrated, in which the body |50 of the keeper is of generally triangular form, the base whereof is secured to the door pillar |52, and the opposite and generally uniformly sloping face |54 of which is presented to the bolt of the associated lock. The base |54 of the striker is provided with an opening |56, through which the safety catch |58 projects. The safety catch |58 is carried upon a pin |60, which is journalled in a respectively opposite side wall of the striker body. A spring |62 is connected between the safety catch and the striker body, and continuously urges the safety catch to the position shown in Fig. 10. A limit stop to such movement is afforded by the engagement between the end |64 of the safety catch and a. buffer |66 which may be formed of, for example', rubber or other resilient material. The buffer |66 is received within the body of the striker. In the vposition of the parts shown in Fig. 10, the end |68 of the safety catch |58 extends -suiciently beyond the plane of the sloping surface |54 to cooperate with the bolt |10 of the associated lock to hold the door in the partially closed position. During a closing movement of the door the bolt |10 slides upwardly along the surface |54, as viewed in Fig. 10, and upon encountering the safety catch |58, depresses the latter into the striker body, and so passes over it without substantial obstruction. A limit to the depressing movement of the safety catch |58 is afforded by the engagement between the end |68 thereof and a portion |12 which forms a part of the surface |54.

The embodiment of Fig. 12 distinguishes pria` marily from the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11 in safety catch |84, which may correspond in operation and function to the pivotally mounted safety catch |58. In other respects, the arrangement of the embodiment of Fig. 12 corresponds with that described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11.

Fig. 13 illustrates a construction in which the outer face |86 of the keeper lies ush with and forms an uninterrupted continuation of the correspondingly angled surface of the door pillar |88. The keeper is positioned within a recess |90 formed in the face of the pillar. Fig. 11 illustrates a construction in which the keeper is formed entirely of metal stampings. In Fig. 14, the body |92 of the keeper is formed of an inner stamping |94, which may be secured directly to the outer face of the door pillar |96, and an outer stamping |98, which is suitably fitted over and secured to the stamping |94. The safety catch 200, also formed of a metal stamping, is provided with a surface portion 202, which normally extends beyond the normal level of the surface of the stampand a lug 208 struck inwardly from the base of the stamping I94,'and acts to continuously urge the safety catch 200 to the position shown. The lug 208 also acts as a limit stop to an inward movement of the safety catch 200, caused for example by the passage thereover of the bolt (not shown) of the associated lock.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides extremely and effective door lock and keeper constructions, which are simple and economical of manufacture, and which are exceptionally efficient and satisfactory in operation. It will also be appreciated that the specifically described embodiments are illustrative, and that various modifications in the form, number and arrangement of the described parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lock keeper for cooperation with a toothed pivoted bolt, the combination of means dening a tooth-like projection over which said bolt may rotate in a closing direction, and a safety catch retractably mounted on said lock keeper in advance of said projection for movement between retracted and projected positions and spacedtherefrom an amount large enough to enable said safety catch to move from the retracted to the projected position while a tooth of said bolt is in said space.

2. In a lock keeper for cooperation with a toothed pivoted bolt, the combination of means defining a tooth-like projection over which said bolt may rotate in a,closing direction, and a safety catch retractably mounted on said lock keeper in advance of said projection for movement between retracted and projected positions and spaced therefrom an amount large enough to enable said safety catch to move from the retracted to the projected position while a tooth of said bolt is in said space, said safety catch being retractable by said bolt during movement of said bolt in a locking direction. f

3. In a keeper for cooperation with an associated toothed pivoted bolt, the combination of a member formed to define a tooth-like projection having one flank against which a tooth of the bolt bears when in locking position, and having a second tooth-like projection spaced in advance of said first tooth-like projection, said second tooth-like projection being pivotally mounted for movement between retracted and projected positions and being retractable by said bolt during movement of the'bolt in a locking direction, the spacing between said first and second tooth-like projections being large enough to enable said second tooth-like projection to move from the retracted to the projected position while said tooth is in said space.

4. In a lock, the combination of a pivoted bolt having first and second teeth spaced peripheral- 1y thereof, and a keeper for said bolt, said keeper having rst and second tooth-like projections spaced apart from each other and having an interdental recess therebetween, the flank of said rst projection adjacent said recess being engaged by said first tooth during a relative movement in one direction between said bolt and keeper and acting to rock said bolt about its pivot and bring said second tooth into locking engagement with the opposite flank of said first projection, said second projection being retractable from a blocking position by said first tooth during said relative movement and being disposed to resume said blocking position after the passage thereover by said rst tooth, the said interdental recess being proportioned relative to said first and second teeth so that said first tooth passes beyond second projection and enables the latter to move from its retracted position to its projected position 'in blocking relation to said bolt while said first tooth is in said interdental space.

5. In a lock, the combination of a bolt of pivotal type having first and second teeth spaced peripherally thereof, and a keeper for said bolt comprising means defining a tooth-like projection one flank whereof is disposed to be engaged by said first tooth' during a relative movement between said bolt and keeper and act as a fulcrum to pivot said bolt and bring said second tooth into locking engagement with the other ank thereof, said pivoting acting to swing said first tooth out of engagement with said one flank, a safety catch retractably mounted on said keeper in advance of said tooth-like projection and adapted to be retracted from a blocking position to a retracted position by said first tooth during said relative movement land to resumesaid blocking position after said first tooth has passed therebeyond, the spacing between said safety catch and said projection being proportioned so that said safty catch when projected does not interfere with said swinging movement of said first tooth.

6. In a lock, the combination of a bolt of pivotal type having first and second teeth spaced peripherally thereof, and a keeper for said bolt comprising means defining a tooth-like projection one flank whereof is disposed to be engaged by said first tooth during a relative movement between said bolt and keeper and act as a fulcrum to pivot said bolt and bring said second tooth into locking engagement with the other flank thereof, said pivoting acting to swing said first tooth out of engagement with said one flank, a safety catch retractably mounted on said keeper in advance of said tooth-like projection and adapted to be retracted from a blocking position to a retracted position by said first tooth `during said relative movement and to resume said blocking position after said first tooth has passed therebeyond, the spacing between said safety catch and said projection being proportioned to freely receive said iirst tooth after said safety catch has resumed its projected position.

7. In a lock, the combination of a bolt of pivotal type having teeth spaced peripherally thereof, and a keeper for said bolt comprising means defining a pair of interdentally spaced toothlike projections whereover the teeth of said bolt are adapted to have rolling engagement during relative movement of the bolt and keeper in an unlocking direction, one of said tooth-like projections being retractably mounted so that during movement between the bolt and the keeper in a locking direction, the bolt engages such one tooth-like projection and retracts the same without causing pivotal movement of the bolt, said other tooth-like projection being effective upon 'engagement by a tooth of said bolt during such locking movement to pivot said bolt and bring an adjacent tooth into locking engagement with the flank of said second tooth-like projection which is opposite from said interdental space, said interdental space being large enough to permit movement of said first toothlike projection from the retracted to the projected position thereof while a tooth of said bolt is in said interdental space.

s. m a iock, for association with first land ing position to be received in wedging relation between said abutment and said bolt, said keeper havingja back disposed to abut the surface of said abutment, and having in oppositely disposed relation to .said back a tooth-like projection one flank-whereof is disposed to be engaged by one tooth of-saidf bolt during a relative movement between saidlbolt and keeper in a locking direc"- tion and-act as a-*fulcrum to pivot said bolt and bring 'anadjacent tooth into locking engagement with the otnrfnank thereof, said adjacent tooth acting to wedge said keeper between the bolt and the abutment, said pivoting of said bolt acting 1 to yswing said one tooth out of engagement with said one iiank, and a safety catch retractably mounted on said second member in advance of said tooth-like projection and adapted to beretracted from a blocking position to a retracted position by said one tooth during said locking movement and to resume said blocking position after said one tooth has passed therebeyond, the spacing between said safety catch and said projection being proportioned so that said safety catch may move from its retracted position to its projected position while said one tooth is in th space between said projection and said safety ca c 9. In a latch mechanism for association with relatively movable members, the combination of a bolt having a plurality of angularly spaced heads any one' of which is adapted to engage a keeper, said bolt being rotatably mounted on one of the members, a keeper mounted on the other member and operative to cause the bolt to rotate in one direction during a closing movement of the members and to rotate in the other direction during an opening movement of the members, said keeper having a iirst part against which a head of the bolt bears when the members are inclosed position and having a second part disposed for engagement by a head of the bolt before the members reach the closed positions, said second` part including means so related to said rst part' that when said second part is passed by said bolt while the members are uninterruptedly moved in one direction between open and closed positions said second part is operative to cause the bolt to rotate a. diierent amount than when said second part is passed by the bolt while the members are uninterruptedly moved between said positions in the other direction, whereby in successive closing actions successive ones of said heads are presented to said first part.

10. In a latch mechanism for association with relatively movable members, the combination of a bolt having a plurality of angularly spaced heads any one of which is adapted to engage a keeper, said bolt being rotatably mounted on one of the members, a keeper mounted on the other member and operative to cause the bolt to rotate in one direction during a closing movement of the members and to rotate in the other direction during an opening movement of the members, said keeper having a rst part against which a head of the bolt bears when the members are in closed position and having a second part disposed for engagement by a head of the bolt before the members reach the closed positions, said second part including means so related to said nrst part that when said second part is passed by said bolt While the members are uninterruptedly moved from the open to the closed position said second part is ineffective to cause the bolt to rotate and while the members are uninterruptedly moved from the closed to the open position said second part is effective to cause a rotation of the bolt,

whereby in successive closing actions successive i part against which a head of the bolt bears when y the members are in fully closed position and a second part against which a head of the bolt bears when the members are in partially closed position, said second part being retractable by the bolt during a closing movement so that the bolt is caused to rotate a different amount during a closing movement than during an opening movement whereby in successive closing actions said keeper part engages successive ones of said heads.

ROLLO MARPLE. 

